Paul Adom-Otchere
Source: Africa Publicity
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in Ghana has formally charged Paul Adom-Otchere, a Ghanaian broadcast journalist and former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), along with two others, in connection with a revenue assurance contract awarded without competitive procurement.
In a statement posted on its social media platforms on July 31, the OSP says Adom-Otchere has not yet satisfied his bail conditions. The bail which his lawyer has described as punitive, require him to present two landed properties in Ghana registered in his name.
He has, however, informed authorities that he does not own any such property locally and therefore remains in custody until the conditions are fulfilled.
The two others charged are Otchere Kwame Baffour Awuah, Group Executive of Commercial Services at GACL, and Albert Adjetey Adjei-Laryea, Chief Executive Officer of Devnest Systems.
The investigation focuses on a contract between GACL and a private firm operated by the proprietor of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), raising concerns about breaches of procurement law, including the award of a sole-sourced contract that had not been approved by the GACL Board.
The OSP’s statement noted:
“…Mr Adom-Otchere has so far been unable to meet his bail conditions. He is required to present two landed properties.
However, he has informed the OSP that he does not own landed property in Ghana. As a result, he remains in custody until the bail terms are satisfied.”
SML has recently faced intense public scrutiny over its revenue assurance contracts with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
In recent months, the OSP has arrested several high-ranking officials in similar investigations involving contracts awarded without competitive bidding—cases that have fueled public concern about transparency and value for money in state procurement.
GACL, a state-owned company, oversees the management of airports across Ghana, including Kotoka International Airport.
The Adom-Otchere case marks a significant development in the OSP’s broader effort to tackle misuse of office in contracts awarded by state-owned enterprises.